The unique relationship between a boy and his father is brought to light in Elie Wiesel’s tragic book “Night” against the somber background of the Holocaust. Wiesel’s connection with his father acts as a moving thread that runs through the story and sheds light on how resilient the human spirit can be in the face of unimaginable catastrophes. In addition to being a parent, Wiesel’s father is shown as a rock and a source of hope for the family in their difficult situation.
It is clear to see throughout “Night” how close Elie and his father, Shlomo Wiesel, are to one another. The Wiesel family is first threatened by Nazi persecution in Sighet, and Shlomo makes an effort to keep things as normal as possible for his family. His insight, discernment, and initial shock at the growing atrocities parallel those of many Jews in the early days of the Holocaust.
But as the story goes on and the father and kid are thrown into Auschwitz’s terrible environment, their positions drastically change. Although Shlomo Wiesel first acts as the guardian, the cruelties of the concentration camp start to have an impact on his physical and mental well-being. Elie assumes the position of guardian after seeing his father’s deterioration. The artificial distortions of social and family roles brought about by the Holocaust are exemplified by this reversal.
Their relationship turns becomes the primary motivator of Elie’s resolve to live. Elie is propelled to keep going in many situations when he is feeling hopeless and overwhelmed by dread of leaving his father alone. The camp, which was built to rob convicts of their humanity, actually serves to deepen their kinship. In the middle of the mayhem, they cling to one another and become one other’s lifelines, seeking moments of comfort in one another’s company.
However, their friendship also demonstrates the moral dilemmas people experience on the inside when confronted with such dire conditions. There are times when Elie feels his ill father is a burden because of the natural human need for self-preservation. These incidents don’t point to a lessened love but rather to the severe psychological traumas that their surroundings has caused.
Conclusion
The depiction of Shlomo Wiesel in “Night” is a harrowing examination of the extreme measures fathers would take to safeguard their children and the unfathomable responsibilities carried by sons in the face of unrelenting tragedy. With an emphasis on love, sacrifice, and the unbreakable human spirit, their connection serves as a microcosm of the wider Holocaust story. The evils of bigotry and hate are still vividly shown in Elie Wiesel’s narrative. He and his father’s continuing relationship, however, shines brilliantly despite the gloom, serving as a metaphor for the tenacity of love and the strength of the human spirit even in the face of unfathomable evils.
References
- Elie Wiesel, “Night,” 2006; Hill and Wang.
- Ellen S. Fine’s “Legacy of Night: The Literary Universe of Elie Wiesel” is fine. New York State University Press, 1982.
- Elie Wiesel: Jewish, Literary, and Moral Perspectives by Alan Rosen was published by Indiana University Press in 2013.
